Hi Ozbargains,
I recently interviewed for a job where the recruiter asked for my drivers licence and passport, which they photocopied.
I didn't get the job but I assume they still have my details on file.
Should I ask for them to erase my information or just leave it? I just don't want to come off as being rude if I do ask them to erase it.
That is the thing, who knows.
I have been a victim of credit card fraud so I'm just very wary of these things.
If you never plan on dealing with them again you should go ahead and do it, what have you got to lose.
They should have some kind of policy regarding protecting your personal information, maybe you should of checked that before giving them said info.
Not to try to scare you but you should be wary, that is a lot of personal information you have provided. You should ask them to erase it, its your personal information. What was their reasoning for needing this information? Was it a for a job for government body or a private company. Did you also provide your TFN?
Email them nicely saying exactly what you've said here. "Hi, I was a victim of fraud in the past and was curious what your policy is concerning retaining sensitive information, such as my passport and licence."
Then ask them to delete it.
Thanks for the replies. I don't think I'll be dealing with them again so doesn't hurt to ask.
In hindsight should've checked why they needed the passport (I understand the licence as the job requires some driving), job hunting is absolutely draining.
It was for a private, well known transport company. Definitely no TFN provided.
@coupdetat: It's odd they requested all this at all. Recruiters (at least in my experience) normally ask for docs AFTER the position has been offered. Weird that they're wasting their time going through every candidate.
@Typical16-bitEnjoyer: I think this is normal for some recruiters that you provide your rights of work before they put you forward to clients.
Usually a passport it the easiest thing to prove that.
You're worrying over nothing. People provide this sort of information everyday. Do you know how many organisations have access to this data? I must have given my drivers licence out to 5+ organisations off the top of my head. Some have my TFN, medicare card details, copy of a bank statement etc. Most people in Australia have provided this sort of information.
Companies that accept these sort of documents must store them securely. Sure, sometimes they are not and they could be compromised but it's minimal so don't worry about it.
Yeah, and most of those organisations have specific policies and security in place for sensitive information.
A recruiter? Unlikely.
Must? What happens if they don't? Do you have examples of punished companies?
ID takeover is a real. It can create a real nightmare for the victims. https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/514338
Go ahead and ask.
You don't want all this personal info sitting around in some random file until it one day gets lost, stolen, or just carelessly left lying around.
Especially with some crummy recruitment company that is likely to be out of business in a few years anyway. They ain't going to be worrying about your data security when they all looking for a new job.
There's scam/phishing ads where they try to collect all your identification before using it for fraud. Next time never provide it until you are given offer.
And here is a sure way for the recruiter to blacklist you and not put you forward for the role in the first place
Which industry necessitates the IDs prior to job offers?
No idea - if the recruiter in question has a policy to take ID as a first step and you as a client say 'i dont want to follow your policy' then they probably wont bother putting you forward.
Totally isnt rude, go for it.
Definately ask via email + ask for confirmation when complete.
You can ask. But atleast for my company, there's a clause in the privacy policy that allows the collection of details for employees and potential employees, so it's up to their discretion whether they want to remove your info.
So, if you did get the job would you have any problem with the recruitment agency keeping your details on file?
Recruitment agencies I have worked with in the past have always asked me to provide rights to work details.
A passport is usually an easy method to prove this.
I also usually sign a privacy agreement.
It makes sense to me from a recruitment point of view as well.
Why do I as a hiring manager want to see candidates that have no entitlements to work? Waste of my time.
Even if you ask them, will they do it?